Northern Group Expresses Concerns Over Alleged Plans to Truncate Democracy in Kano, Zamfara, Plateau States
The coalition of Northern civil society organization, under the aegis of Conference of Northern States Civil Society Network (CNSCSN) has raised alarm against the alleged plans to truncate democracy in Kano, Zamfara and Plateau states ahead of the Supreme Court judgements slated for next week in these states.
During a press conference held in Kano state on Saturday, the group described the alleged plans as a ‘looming’ danger, adding that t ‘snatching’ the mandate of the electorates in these states would be bad omen for democracy.
It warned against igniting any potentially motivated political conflict in any part of the country, especially in some opposition States of the North, adding that it’s an open invitation to the destruction of our the country.
The Conference expressed deep concern about the current state of the judiciary in the country, adding that the conflicting judgments being issued by various courts of the same jurisdiction have created a sense of confusion and frustration among the citizens.
It also noted that it has led to a loss of trust and confidence in the judicial system.
It also said that the integrity and effectiveness of the country’s legal system are essential for maintaining public trust and upholding the rule of law.
It however expressed confidence that the Judicial Service Commission has the responsibility and authority to make the necessary reforms to restore faith in the system.
The Full Text of the Press Statement
TEXT OF A NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE
BY CONFERENCE OF NORTHERN STATES CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORKSÂ
Gentlemen of the Press
CONCERN ON THE LOOMING DANGER TO TRUNCATE NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY OVER THE CONSPICUOUS FIXATION TO SNATCH THE MANDATE OF THE ELECTORATES IN KANO, ZAMFARA AND PLATEAU STATES, INCREASING INSECURITY IN SOME STATES OF THE NORTH, INCREASING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP ON THE CITIZENS, RECKLESS BORROWINGS AND BUDGET PROVISIONS IN THE 2024 APPROPRIATION AND THE NEED FOR A QUICK MEASURES BEFORE THE COUNTRY FINALLY GOES UNDERÂ
Preamble
The Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, is a forum of states based civil Society Networks operating in Northern Nigeria. The group brought together various CSOs networks operating in the Nineteen Northern States and FCT, under a common platform, with the aim of achieving sustainable socio economic and political development. MAJOR areas of CONCERN ARE: GOVERNANCE AND WELLNESS AS IT CONCERNS CITIZENS
On Governance
Some members of the conference, in different states of the North, participated actively in the elections process, and closely observed the activities from the beginning to the end.
We are therefore concerned about the level Nigeria is declining in its democracy, owing to several elections that have been conducted in Nigeria, at both states and Nigeria, where contestations have been the order of the day, as asserted by credible institutions and individuals as in the case of Imo, Kano, Zamfara, Plateau and even at the presidential elections. It is a known fact that the strongest pillar of democracy are the people, which recent elections have shown to have suppressed their voices. A democratic society respects the voices of the people by recognizing their wishes.
Increasing Poverty and economic HardshipÂ
It should also be remembered that, before this administration came into power, there were already 130 million Nigerians living in multi – dimensional poverty, this terrifying revelation should be seen and considered as a national emergency, considering the enormous dangers the ugly development entails, which is practically a national security risk. Similarly, another additional 30 million Nigerians have so far fallen into the trap of a multi – dimensional poverty, since the beginning of the present administration. Therefore, igniting any potentially motivated political conflict in any part of the country especially in some opposition States of the North, is an open invitation to the destruction of our dear country which we must collectively work to avert
Increasing insecurity in Nigeria, especially in some States of the North
Although, it has not been long since the appointment of the new service chiefs in the country, and huge investment in the security sector. Citizens’ expectation is that, by now, security of lives and properties should have been brought to the beareast minimum level. However the continuous killings of people, child trafficking, banditry, displacement of communities, kidnappings, across the country, especially in some States of the North, such as: Katsina, Plateau, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna and Zamfara States, re- surfacing of the insurgency in the North East, is so unprecedented. The dimension at which the security for lives and properties of the Nigerian citizens, which is fast declining, puts citizens into more fear, hopelessness and uncertainties.
Judiciary
The Conference expresses a deep concern about the current state of the judiciary in Nigeria. The conflicting judgments being issued by various courts of the same jurisdiction have created a sense of confusion and frustration among the citizens. Unfortunately, this has led to a loss of trust and confidence in the judiciary.
The integrity and effectiveness of our legal system are essential for maintaining public trust and upholding the rule of law. We believe that the Judicial Service Commission has the responsibility and authority to make the necessary reforms to restore faith in the judiciary
`OUR ADVISORY
That, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not allow his Government to be used in the manipulative scheme of interfering with judicial processes in courts involving cases of election opposition states, to truncate the Nigerian democracy, an offence that would never be forgiven by the entire democratic communities around the World, and may lead to chaos, more insecurity and conflicts across the country
The NJC should adhere to the latter ethics and practice of their profession, in accordance with the law, as the custodian of justice and rule of rule
We acknowledge the efforts of some governors like Sokoto, Borno Kaduna Zamfara, Katsina for their resilience in curtailing the insecurities in their States. However, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, must hold himself and the security agencies accountable, for the ongoing insecurity in the country, and should develop a key performance indicators (KPI) of not more than 6 months, for the security agencies to be assessed for accountability.
We urge the National Security Adviser to coordinate the synergy between the Service Chiefs for optimal combating of insecurities.
That, the president should with immediate effect convey a national economic summit for citizens to identify, deliberate and proffer solutions to the Nigerian economic situation.
That, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must look inward to raise funds for Governance businesses other than borrowings, by squeezing the past and present public officials with corruption allegation to recover the looted funds belonging to Nigerians
The Conference is appealing to the Judicial Service Commission to take swift action to thoroughly investigate the root causes of the conflicting judgments and implement measures to ensure the judicial system
Signed.
1. Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organizations –
2. Coalition of NGOs in Kebbi State
3. Kwara NGOs Network
4. Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET)
5. Network for Peace and Inclusive Development, Niger State
6. Benue NGOs Network(BENGONET)
7. Coalition of CSOs in Katsina State
8. Coalition of CSOs in Taraba state
9. Association of NGOs in Gombe (ANGO)
10. Nassarawa NGOs Network (NANGONET)
11. Jigawa Civil Society Forum
12. Kaduna Concerned Civil Society
13. Network of Yobe Civil Society organizations
14. Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF)
15. Coalitions of NGOs in Sokoto State
16. Zamfara Coalition of NGOs
17. Adamawa Network of Civil Society
18. Network of Civil Society Organizations (NECSOB)
19. Plateau CSO FORUM
20. FCT Accountability Mechanism
Amb. Ibarhim Waiya Ibrahim YusufÂ
Chairman General Secretary
